Can you get a refund on Ticketmaster after the event?

Trying to get a refund on tickets purchased through Ticketmaster can be difficult, especially if the event has already taken place. Ticketmaster’s refund policy states that all sales are final, so once an event happens, refunds are usually not offered. However, there are some exceptions in which you may be able to get your money back after the fact.

Ticketmaster’s Refund Policy

According to Ticketmaster’s Purchase Policy, “Unless otherwise stated, all sales are final. There are no refunds, exchanges, or cancellations after purchase.” This applies to most events sold through Ticketmaster. Once you have bought tickets and the event has happened, Ticketmaster considers the transaction complete with no option for a refund.

There are some exceptions though. Ticketmaster’s Refund Policy says refunds are available only under the following circumstances:

• The event was postponed, rescheduled, or canceled. Refunds are generally available if the event organizer initiates a change.
• The event tickets were purchased through Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan® or Verified Resale® programs, which both guarantee valid tickets. These tickets can be refunded if they end up being invalid for entry.
• Tickets were bought under Ticketmaster’s Fan Guarantee® program. This protects buyers if event details significantly change after ticket purchase.
• There was an order error on Ticketmaster’s behalf, such as a duplicated order or technical failure.

Outside of those reasons, Ticketmaster does not offer refunds once an event has occurred as a policy. However, for qualifying situations, refund requests can still be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Getting a Refund Due to Extenuating Circumstances

While refunds after an event are not guaranteed under Ticketmaster’s policy, refund requests may still be granted depending on the specific situation. Here are some cases where ticket buyers have successfully gotten refunds after the fact:

• Medical emergency – Customers who had a medical emergency arise shortly before an event that prevented them from attending have reported receiving refunds after contacting Ticketmaster, especially when documentation is provided.
• Family death – Similarly, some have gotten ticket refunds in the event of a family member’s death that occurred right before the scheduled event.
• Military deployment – Ticketmaster may offer refunds for military members who bought tickets but were deployed unexpectedly and can show documentation.
• Event issues – If there were significant problems with the event, like a performer canceling last minute or technical difficulties, refund requests have been approved.
• Rescheduled event – If unable to attend a rescheduled event or the new date doesn’t work, you may get a refund after contacting Ticketmaster.

In these types of unforeseen circumstances, Ticketmaster may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Having documentation helps. It’s recommended to call their customer service line and kindly explain why you deserve a refund.

Getting a Refund for Invalid Tickets

One way refunds are guaranteed through Ticketmaster is if the tickets end up being invalid and not allowing entry. This can happen in a few cases:

• The tickets were fake or duplicated fraudulently.
• The barcodes didn’t properly scan at the venue entrance.
• The tickets were for seats that didn’t actually exist at that event.

If you bought tickets through Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan or Verified Resale platforms, they come with a guarantee that the tickets are authentic and valid. So if you purchased verified tickets but they turned out to be invalid, you can get a full refund by contacting Ticketmaster customer service.

You may also get a refund if you purchased tickets through a different seller on Ticketmaster and the tickets ended up being fake or duplicated. Ticketmaster does not verify all third party tickets, so invalid ones can slip through. But if you got scammed with invalid tickets, it’s still worth reaching out to Ticketmaster to see if they’ll refund your money.

Getting Credit on Your Ticketmaster Account

While Ticketmaster does not always offer cash refunds after an event, another option is getting credit on your Ticketmaster account. Here are some cases where you may be given account credit rather than a refund:

• You chose not to attend an event you had tickets for, without a documented emergency.
• You missed part of an event and left early, so didn’t use all your tickets.
• The tickets didn’t scan properly at entry but you still got into the event.

For situations like these, Ticketmaster may not approve a refund since you either chose not to go or still attended part of the event. But you can request account credit for the value of the unused tickets, which you can then use towards future Ticketmaster purchases.

Filing a Credit Card Chargeback

If Ticketmaster denies your refund request after an event has taken place, another option is disputing the charge with your credit card company. This is known as a chargeback.

Chargebacks allow you to get your money back by having the credit card company reverse the payment. They are typically used in cases of fraudulent transactions. But you may be able to file a chargeback if the event had major issues or your tickets were invalid.

To start the chargeback process, you need to contact your credit card company, explain why you deserve a refund, and provide any documentation that supports your claim. If approved, they will credit your account and seek the funds from Ticketmaster.

Keep in mind that chargebacks can only be filed within 60-120 days of the transaction date. And if Ticketmaster provides sufficient proof that the charge is valid, then your chargeback request may be denied. But it can still be worth trying this route if Ticketmaster won’t refund you directly.

How to Request a Refund from Ticketmaster

If you want to request a refund on tickets for an event that already happened, here are the steps to take:

1. Call Ticketmaster Customer Service at 1-800-653-8000 to explain your refund request. Have your order number, ticket information, and any relevant documentation ready.
2. You can also submit an online request form on Ticketmaster’s Contact Us page. Select “Refunds” as the topic when submitting the form.
3. For invalid tickets purchased through a Verified program, start a claim at https://help.ticketmaster.com.
4. Provide a detailed explanation for why you deserve a refund and include supporting documents if possible.
5. If your initial request is denied, follow up and kindly ask for it to be reconsidered or for account credit instead.

The more details you can provide, the better chance your request will be approved. But keep in mind refunds are still not guaranteed in most cases once an event has passed.

Tips for Getting a Refund from Ticketmaster

Here are some helpful tips for getting a refund approved on Ticketmaster tickets after an event:

• Act quickly – Request the refund as soon as possible after the event before too much time passes.
• Be polite – A kind, understanding tone goes further than venting frustration.
• Provide documentation – Having evidence to back up your claim will strengthen your case.
• Follow up – If your first refund request is denied, politely ask for it to be reconsidered.
• Accept account credit – If a cash refund is not offered, account credit may be provided instead.
• Dispute the charge – A credit card chargeback is an option if Ticketmaster refuses a refund.

While not easy, it is possible to get a refund from Ticketmaster after an event in some qualifying circumstances. Being prepared with evidence to support your request and politely following up is key to having the best chance of success.

Can You Get a Refund on Resale Tickets?

If you purchased ticket resales through a seller on Ticketmaster, getting a refund can be even more difficult. Unlike directly sold tickets, Ticketmaster’s refund policy does not necessarily apply to resale tickets.

Each resale seller on Ticketmaster has their own refund policy that buyers must agree to when purchasing tickets. Most resale tickets are sold with a “no refunds” policy, even if the event is canceled or you can’t attend for an emergency.

However, if the tickets end up being invalid or counterfeit, you may have a case for getting your money back. Contact the seller first and if they refuse to refund you, reach out to Ticketmaster with documentation that the tickets did not work. They may credit your account the amount you paid even if the seller won’t provide a refund.

Getting a refund for resale tickets also depends on the original ticket source. If they were originally purchased through Ticketmaster’s Verified Resale program, then they are guaranteed valid and you can get a refund if that turns out not to be true. Other resale platforms like StubHub may also offer refund guarantees on invalid tickets.

But generally, for straightforward resale tickets, the seller determines the refund policy. And most resellers will not refund a ticket after an event has happened unless the tickets specifically did not work.

Steps for Refunding Resale Tickets

To request a refund on Ticketmaster resale tickets after an event:

1. Contact the seller directly through the Ticketmaster messaging system, explain why you need a refund, and ask if they will provide one.
2. If the seller refuses, reach out to Ticketmaster customer service with documentation that the tickets were invalid or did not work.
3. For tickets marked Verified Resale, start a claim at https://help.ticketmaster.com for invalid tickets.
4. If you paid with a credit card, consider doing a chargeback for invalid or fraudulent tickets if Ticketmaster won’t refund you.

Keep in mind that resale platforms like StubHub may offer better refund protection in certain cases where Ticketmaster resale tickets won’t provide refunds. Be sure to read resale policies carefully before purchasing second-hand tickets.

Getting a Refund for a Child’s Ticket

Parents may sometimes find themselves needing a refund on a child’s ticket that went unused because the child got sick or could not attend the event for another reason.

For parents trying to get a refund on a child’s Ticketmaster ticket after the event has occurred, here are some tips:

• Highlight that the ticket holder was a minor child who was dependent on adult supervision to attend. Emphasize that the child did not choose to miss the event.
• Provide documentation from a doctor confirming the child’s illness if that was the reason for missing the event.
• Explain that you should not be penalized and lose the ticket value due to unpredictable circumstances with a child.
• Politely ask if an exception can be made and offer to accept account credit if a cash refund is not possible.

While not guaranteed, parents may have better luck getting some refund or credit for unused children’s tickets compared to adult tickets. It also depends on the price and number of tickets. But it is worth making the request to Ticketmaster, emphasizing that it was out of your control as the parent.

What Events are Eligible for Refunds?

Certain types of events may have more flexible or generous refund policies than others when it comes to getting a refund from Ticketmaster after the fact.

Here are some events that are more likely to offer refunds:

• Sporting Events – If a game ends up being canceled or rescheduled, sports leagues and venues are often accommodating with ticket refunds.
• Concerts – Major tours may offer refunds if a show is postponed or completely canceled last minute.
• Theater Performances – Theater groups sometimes have generous exchange or credit policies that allow shows to be rescheduled.
• Smaller Events – Local events put on by smaller organizers are more open to arranging refunds in unique cases.

In contrast, here are some events that rarely allow refunds:

• Comedy Shows – Comedy clubs and performers strictly stick to no refund policies in most cases.
• Festivals – Outdoor festivals, concerts, and raves generally do not offer refunds once they proceed rain or shine.
• Broadway Shows – Broadway productions strictly enforce no refunds and rarely make exceptions.
• Vegas Shows – Las Vegas entertainment shows also have set no refund policies.

It depends show-by-show, but refunds are more commonly offered for events that are rescheduled or postponed compared to shows that continue on despite issues.

Conclusion

Ticketmaster generally does not offer refunds once an event has already taken place. Their policy states that all sales are final. But exceptions can be made in certain extenuating circumstances if you contact their customer service team and kindly explain your situation.

You are most likely to get a refund if your tickets ended up being invalid or counterfeit. Other possible reasons you may get your money back include a medical emergency, family death, military deployment, or issues with the event itself. Providing documentation helps support your case.

While cash refunds are not guaranteed, you may be given Ticketmaster account credit as an alternative in some cases. And if Ticketmaster refuses to refund, filing a credit card chargeback is another option to potentially get your money back for unusable tickets.

Getting a refund for resale tickets is even less likely, but can be pursued in cases of invalid tickets. Ultimately, while challenging, it is sometimes possible to get a Ticketmaster refund after an event if you make a compelling case and politely follow up if denied at first.